Nao - Wildflowers (Single)
Critically acclaimed artist Nao is back with her captivating new single ‘Wildflowers,’ a radiant and heartfelt exploration of love, growth, and vulnerability. This track offers the first glimpse of her eagerly anticipated new music, with more to come later this year.
“A Wildflower symbolises falling in love—it's wild, carefree, and you want it to last forever. But life and time have other plans. ‘Wildflowers’ invites listeners to explore the highs and lows of love while embracing vulnerability,” Nao explains.
‘Wildflowers’ was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in November 2023. Collaborating with celebrated producers Coffee and Detonate, the song emerged effortlessly from a deep conversation about love, the passage of time, and coming of age in your 30s. Its bold, carefree energy is wrapped into a breezy and soulful anthem. The track was created during a memorable period for Nao, as she was heavily pregnant at the time, adding different layers of emotion to it.
The visual and creative world surrounding ‘Wildflowers’ has been shot by frequent collaborator Lillie Eiger (Arlo Parks, Florence Welch etc), with creative direction from SpaceBroth. This new music marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nao’s iconic career. Get ready for a fresh wave of innovation and artistry as she continues to redefine the boundaries of music. The best is yet to come!
Born Neo Jessica Joshua, Nao grew up in South Woodford, having moved from Nottingham. After learning piano as a child she shifted from studying law to attending the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Nao supported herself as a backing singer for artists like Kwabs and Jarvis Cocker and was a member of the experimental a-capella group The Boxettes. Her breakthrough came after a performance at Corsica Studios, leading to the release of her debut project, ‘So Good’ (2014), which featured a collaboration with AK Paul.
Nao quickly gained momentum, landing a MOBO nomination for Best Newcomer and performing to packed-out crowds at Glastonbury. In 2016, she released her debut album ‘For All We Know’, which earned her a Brit Award nomination for Best British Female Solo Artist. Her follow-up, ‘Saturn’ (2018), was widely praised for its bold, experimental sound, featuring collaborations with Jessie Ware and MØ. The album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and earned her another Brit nomination.
In 2021, Nao released her third album, ‘And Then Life Was Beautiful’, a deeply introspective collection shaped by the challenges and transformations of the world during the pandemic. The album was nominated for a MOBO Award for Best R&B/Soul and led to collaborations with Stormzy and Mura Masa and performances at Coachella. Her recent single ‘Balance’ continued to showcase her sonic evolution, incorporating her Jamaican and Vincentian roots with infectious melodies and a feature from Jamaican rapper Skillibeng.